Avoid playing contact sports on very muddy or waterlogged pitches, MOH warns

SINGAPORE - Following the completion of investigations into the outbreak of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis during an international rugby tournament held at Turf City, the Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday advised the public to avoid playing sports involving contact with soil or mud on very muddy or waterlogged pitches. If this cannot be avoided, players should wash their hands and face thoroughly after the event, added the MOH. The ministry's investigations found that microsporidial spores "are likely to be ubiquitous in soil here and are not limited to the Turf City pitches". The MOH said it will be working with the relevant authorities to advise sports clubs and pitch operators on how they can minimise the risk at their grounds, such as by ensuring proper drainage of pitches and installing adequate washing facilities for players to use. The advisory comes after 159...